The valley was narrow, its waters surging and churning.
The Trap-Breaking Army advanced in formation, every troop type working in concert. Most of the Wu soldiers had not even had time to don their armor; caught scrambling into battle, they had no power to resist.
The conscripted laborers transporting supplies fled for their lives in terror. The chaos they stirred severed the Eastern Wu soldiers from one another, scattering the organization of every camp where they stood. As the Trap-Breaking Army pressed closer, trampling broke out along the valley road, while officers, soldiers, and commoners alike were shoved into the great river beside it.
The summer river ran swift. Falling into it meant nine chances of death for every one of life; only those exceptionally skilled in the water could survive.
The sounds of slaughter, wailing, rushing water, and birds and beasts merged into a bizarre chorus.
Escorted by his personal guards, Dai Liang led his cavalry through the crowd and charged to the southernmost end of the column. Just as he was about to break out of the "encirclement," hundreds, perhaps thousands, of soldiers blocked the road ahead.
"Why aren't you getting out of the way?" Dai Liang raised his riding whip and lashed out.
The guards at his side held their weapons across their chests, killing intent showing on their expressionless faces. The best way to establish authority in the army was to kill men and behead commanders—but at this moment, whether the soldiers obeyed or not made little difference.
Thud, thud.
The soldiers by the river were forced aside by the crush behind them, row after row shoved down, clearing a path for Dai Liang. Yet beyond the end of that path was no open road.
Dozens upon dozens of war chariots had been stacked sideways into